In the case of heating the water in your pool there are two kinds of heating systems that you can select from both the primary system and the secondary one.
The primary system permits bathers to set thermostatic controls at a particular temperature typically between 22degC to 30degC. The heating system then continue to operate until the bath water is at the temperature desired, regardless of the external conditions (i.e. the temperature of the air, weather conditions and sunlight etc.)
A secondary system can increase the temperature of the water, but is dependent upon external influences. Secondary systems are generally not able to guarantee the pool will attain the temperature that is desired, and in this sense, are usually used as backups to the primary system.
If used together with a secondary and primary system can provide substantial savings on operating costs. This is due to the fact that the secondary system kicks into action when external circumstances favor it while it will be in charge when the external factors aren’t.
Air-source heat pumps are an excellent example of this. When the weather is nice and the temperature of the air is high, these heat pumps function very effectively as a second system. However, if the weather is not ideal and the temperature of the surrounding area is much cooler and cooler, the heat pumps will not perform as efficiently. To overcome this gas heater (primary system) is a good option to ensure that the temperature you want is achieved.
Primary Heating Systems
Here are a few primary heating systems that can be utilized to warm your swimming pools.
High-performance fuel oil boiler for high performance
In a swimming pool heater, domestic fuel oil is burned to heat the fluid inside a closed loop to an extremely high temperature. The fluid is circulated through a set of titanium or stainless tubes, which come in contact with the water in the pool and heat the water up.
Advantages:
The source of heat is always at hand, regardless of the weather.
Rapidly heats up pools.
It could be a good investment opportunity, particularly when the boiler is located near the system for pool heating.
It is a perfect fit with other systems (i.e. renewable energy systems that are secondary to the primary system).
Disadvantages:
The running costs are relatively high when employed as the sole source of heating.
The power source is fossil fuels, resulting in an enormous carbon footprint.
The rising cost of fuel oil.
For more information contact a pool boiler installation engineer.
High-performance gas boiler
High-performance gas boilers operate similarly to an oil-based fuel boiler, but make use of natural gas LPG and butane for the primary source of fuel.
Advantages:
Similar advantages to the boiler for oil fuel (above).
Gas boilers are small and require only a small amount of space.
Lower emissions from oil boilers.
Disadvantages:
The running costs are relatively high when employed as the sole source of heating.
If there’s no gas service nearby, charges for connecting could be costly.
Note Propane (LPG) and butane solutions offer the same benefits in comparison to natural gas, even if gas supply isn’t available in the area you reside. However, the operating costs are around 280% higher, so they it is extremely costly to run when compared to natural gas.
Air/water heat pump.
With the use of fossil fuels rising heating systems are receiving large media coverage due to their eco-friendly credentials as well as highly efficient performance. In addition, they are becoming increasing popular choice for heating swimming pools.
How do they work
A heat pump that is air-to-water absorbs energy from air and then transfers it to the pool’s water. The air around you doesn’t need to be warm, even cold or cool air contains energy from it that a heat pump is able to extract. The more humid the air gets and the higher the temperature, the more energy the heat pump will be in a position to absorb and the more efficiently it can operate.
The natural energy of the environment is absorbed into the heat pump via an enormous fan. The energy is absorbed first by the first heat exchanger, referred to as the ‘evaporator’ which is comprised of a highlyconductive chilled refrigerant fluid. A second pump is utilized to move the energy around the pump which allows it to take in heat in the surrounding air. In this process the liquid transforms from cold liquid to the cool vapour.
The cool vapour goes through a compressor, which compresses it, which significantly increases temperatures of vapour. The hot vapour now goes through a pool heat exchanger, where the heat is transferred to the pool water, causing it to heat up. After it has released its heat it condenses to form an icy liquid before going via an expansion valve to transform to the cold liquid, it restarts the process.
They’re an excellent choice
One of the most striking characteristics of heat pumps is that they can produce more energy from heat than they consume in their operation. This is called the ‘coefficient effectiveness’ (COP) and explains the reason why heat pumps report high COPs of more than 100%..
For instance, the heat pump that has a COP of five means that it is able to draw 5 kWh of air heat for every kWh that it uses in power to operate. It effectively translates to an output of 500 percent.
The latest generation of water-to-air heat pumps, like those we have in our swimming pools, have CO2 levels of between 5.22 as well as 5.73 (i.e. 52 percent and 473% efficiency output). In comparison to the maximum COP at 1.09 in modern boilers using gas, it’s difficult to understand why heat pumps are gaining in popularity.
Advantages:
An affordable system with a great return on investment when compared to heating systems that use fossil fuels.
Full-scale primary heating when the capacity of output is +0.35 kWh for each m3 pool water.
Fantastic ecological credentials and perfect for creating an energy-separate swimming pool that is powered by photovoltaic panels.
It works by utilizing the heat of ambient air. This means that it can heat your pool even when the sun isn’t shining.
It is possible to heat water at night, and use electricity at lower at night.
Disadvantages:
It’s not usually possible to make use of a heat source to warm the water so that you can swim in winter months, since its effectiveness decreases as the temperature falls to below 10 degrees Celsius.
Its benefits are vast, but are difficult to explain to a broad audience.
What is the best heat pump?
Select a model that features a an exchanger made of titanium. This type of material provides the highest heat transfer and is essential to the effectiveness of your heat pump. It also resists most of the chemicals employed to maintain the water quality of the pool.
Find COP values that are 15degC or more temperature. The most efficient air-to-water heat pump have COPs of at minimum 5.2 for this particular temperature.
Get a written warranty for five years. The legal minimum is two years, but since components such as heat exchangers can be expensive to replace, the best manufacturers will back their product with a longer guarantee.
Beware of products that are cheap. Although the initial price may seem appealing, you’ll eventually in the red as the product wears out or gets less effective over time.
Secondary Heating Systems
Solar panels
Solar panels collect the sun’s rays and, with the help of a liquid, store the energy in the primary circuit. They convert this energy into heat using the use of a heat exchanger, prior to transmitting the energy to the water in the pool. Since they are the natural resources of the earth that is renewable, they are among the most popular forms in renewable energy.
Advantages:
Frost-free system because of the addition of glycol in the main circuit.
Aesthetic designs.
There is a relatively small area required as compared to similar solar system (i.e. 12-14m2 needed to heat 50m3).
Use diffused light and the sun.
Disadvantages:
Very expensive system, and takes an extended time to reach break-even (at minimum 12 to 18 years).
The heat exchanger is expensive and requires a lot of money to ensure yield in the months of spring and autumn.
Despite the substantial investment the system can only produce its intended output in optimal conditions (30deg slope to the to the south).
EPDM Mats made of PE or rubber. Mats
Mats for sun can be put on roofs that are flat or sloped provided there is enough space. Most manufacturers suggest that 67 percent of the pool can be utilized as a mat area. We believe this isn’t the case based on our experience, we believe that 100 percent is more realistic, and 150% is an suitable area.
These mats take in the pool’s water and then heat it up with their plastic cover that is warmed up. Simple measurement and control technique is used later to heat the water in the pool.
Advantages:
Affordable heating systems.
Simple technology.
Aesthetic due to the invisible installation on flat roofs.
Break-even period is limited (3 or 4 years).
Disadvantages:
It’s not very attractive on sloping roofs.
Receptive to storm-related damage.
Only work whenever the sun is out.
Block any work that is needed to be repaired to the roof.
Don’t allow the temperature of your pool’s water to be controlled.